Furniture Library Has New Scholarship Program

April 1, 2012  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on April 2, 2012

The Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library has formed a new scholarship to benefit college juniors and seniors interested in careers in interior and furniture design.

The scholarship documents are being sent to 230 colleges and universities that have programs in furniture and interior design. The library in High Point is collaborating with the American Society of Furniture Designers on the Furniture Design portion; and the American Society of Interior Designers on the design portion of the competition. A distinguished panel of judges will choose the winners.

In addition to the scholarship, other developments include a building renovation; and a new identity and a new comprehensive website to be announced soon.

"Since 1984, the library has awarded more than $350,000 in scholarships to students at 17 colleges throughout the U.S.," said long-time board member and Scholarship Committee Chairman Paul Brayton. "It was Mr. Bienenstock's long standing desire to invest in the education and future of the furniture industry. Our intention is to encourage and inspire the best and most creative minds and help them to develop their talents. To that end, we created two substantial national scholarships. In addition to the $10,000 awards, professional members of the furniture and interior design industries are available to mentor and answer design questions."

The Bienenstock scholarships are open to any junior, senior or graduate student enrolled in an accredited college design program. A $10,000 scholarship will be awarded to the first place winner of each category, interior design and furniture design. Two Honorable Mentions also will be chosen for each category. 

Judges for Furniture Design include: Paul Brayton, Paul Brayton Designs; Richard Frinier, Frinier Atelier; Rod Lambeth, Tomlinson/Erwin Lambeth Furniture; Dudley Moore, ASFD; Jay Reardon, Hickory Chair Company; Rick Schroeder, Stanley Furniture; and Royal Wiggin, Thayer Coggin, Inc.

Judges for Interior Design include: June Anderson, ASID; Christi Barbour, Allied ASID Barbour Spangle Design; Barry Dixon, Barry Dixon Designs; Libby Langdon, Libby Interiors; Pat Plaxico, Pat Plaxico Interior Design; Christi Spangle, ASID Barbour Spangle Design; and Brianne Verstat, ASID Barbour Spangle Design.